March 2018

NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTS

FUCHSIA SOCIETY

March 2018 NEWSLETTER

What is happening in the Garden Centre:

Small bedding plants/plugs are now appearing in the Garden Centre, tempting people to buy early and start potting up their hanging baskets. It’s a great idea if you have somewhere to overwinter them, away from the frosts!

What is happening in the Garden:

Fruit & Vegetables

Still waiting for better weather, before I start sowing seeds!

Perennials/Garden Shrubs etc

My daffodils are out – I haven’t really got much more to say about my garden this month – it’s been covered in snow which has prevented me from pottering around, which is what I have really wanted to do!

Fuchsia Growing

I have kept my free cuttings indoors and regularly giving them a little water. They are ready to pinch out, increasing my stock, hopefully then I will be able to donate plants to the society later on for one of the plant sales. I am quite relieved to see new shoots on quite a lot of my fuchsia which I had overwintered, this is promising. I have given them a small seaweed feed today to give them an extra boost!

Wildlife/Pondlife

I mentioned the long-tailed tits last month looking in at the window, well... this month one has made a habit of flying into the window. He continued to do this off and on for several days (Bob managed to get quite a few good photos and a video!) Neither of us were sure why this silly bird continued to knock himself out at the window, so we sought advice from the RSPB. They replied stating that at breeding time, the males become quite territorial and probably could see his own reflection in the window and therefore was trying to scare off the ‘opposition’.

It was the 3 corners and buffet last month. I hope you all found the talks interesting and on behalf of the society I’d like to thank the speakers for volunteering and doing such a tremendous job.

BFS AWARD OF MERIT

Congratulations to Lyndon Clements who was awarded the BFS Award of Merit at this year’s BFS AGM. Fully deserved, Lyndon has been acknowledged for his lifelong commitment promoting fuchsias, whether it be propagating; showing; mentoring and for his commitment to the Nottingham & Notts Fuchsia Society as President, Show Steward and avid Exhibitor.

WELL DONE LYNDON!

BFS STEWARD COURSE – SUNDAY 22^nd APRIL 2018

The above one day course has been arranged and will be held at Coronation Hall, Toton. Anyone interested in attending the course, please let Jayne know. After the course, you will be able to Steward at any local fuchsia society as well as the BFS National shows. It is also a very good way of finding out more about showing – hints and tips, etc.

BFS ROADSHOWS 2018

This year the BFS are running two Roadshows, the first one is on Sunday 8^th April at Fairfield Village Hall in the West Midlands, commencing at 10.00a.m. The 2^nd one will be on Sunday 23^rd September at Coronation Hall, Portland Road, Toton, Nottingham, NG9 6EE.

** Please note the proximity of this BFS Roadshow, so put it down in your diaries. Volunteers will also be required to help on the day.

ADDITIONAL MEETING – JOINING WITH DERBY FUCHSIA SOCIETY –

4^th APRIL 2018

Another date for your diary – Derby Fuchsia Society have booked Ric Reilly, a BFS committee member and a really good speaker. He will be speaking about his beloved FUCHSIA. It should be a really good evening. Meeting to be held at Grange Hall. Park Lane, Littleover, DE23 6FX. Meeting commences at 7.30p.m. ADMISSION £2.50.

**ANYONE NOT SURE WHERE THE VENUE IS PLEASE SPEAK TO ONE OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS **

PLANT SALES VENUES 2018

Coffee Morning at Wollaton Park Community Centre – 12^th May 2018.

The Community Centre have proposed that the Coffee morning be held on a Saturday this year and will be inviting other groups to hold stalls (i.e. The Alpine Society).

Autokarna – 3^rd June 2018. This is our regular event.

Cossall Open Gardens – 10^th June 2018. This year Cossall village will be celebrating their 30^th Anniversary.

***REMEMBER: PLANT DONATIONS ARE MOST WELCOME AT THESE EVENTS***

NEW SCHEDULE check if there have been any changes. WARNING – this year we have revamped the schedule. It has been aligned, as near as we were able, to the BFS Annual show schedule, therefore, a majority of class numbers have changed.

**Please, please ensure you obtain a new schedule.**

Additional points to consider when GROWING FUCHSIAS FOR SHOW (taken from the Exhibitors, Judges & Stewards Rule Book & Guidelines):

BUSH

DEFINITION: A Bush is a plant which must be seen to have been developed on a single stem not exceeding 1½ ” (38mm) . The entire plant should be covered with an abundance of healthy foliage and flower. The plant should present a balance shape when viewed from all sides.

What the judge will be looking out in particularly: -

Flowers – state of freshness; damage; premature opened buds

Foliage – exhibits should be covered with an abundance of clean, healthy leaves – damaged; ageing or wilting leaves detracts from perfection.

Cultural Proficiency – a bush should display a uniformity of growth. The single stem must be clear and distinct. Clear signs of health and vigour and even distribution of flower. Also there should be evidence of buds to compliment the open flower. No signs of pests or diseases. Labels, ties and supports should be minimal, neat and unobtrusive. Interconnection supports constitute a framework which is not allowed.

Presentation – exhibits should be presented to show their best qualities with flowers in full view. All seed pods should be removed and nectar and pollen cleaned from leaves. Compost surface must be free from debris. Pots should be clean and undamaged. Fresh compost may be used for top dressing.

POINTS SYSTEM:

Flower	30	Foliage	30
Cultural Proficiency	30	Presentation	10

SHRUB

DEFINITION: Shrub is an exhibit with more than one shoot emerging from below compost level. It can also be grown from more than one plant. The entire shrub should be covered with an abundance of healthy foliage and flower. The exhibit should present a balance shape when viewed from all sides.

What the judge will be looking out in particularly: -

Flowers - state of freshness; damage; premature opened buds

Foliage – exhibits should be covered with an abundance of clean, healthy leaves – damaged; ageing or wilting leaves detracts from perfection.

Cultural Proficiency – A Shrub should display a uniformity of growth, without signs of damage. There should be clear signs of health and vigour. Also there should be evidence of buds to compliment the open flower. No signs of pests or diseases. Labels, ties and supports should be minimal, neat and unobtrusive. Interconnection supports constitute a framework which is not allowed.

POINTS SYSTEM:

Flower	30	Foliage	30
Cultural Proficiency	30	Presentation	10

FUNDRAISING

The easiest way for all internet users to help raise funds for our Society is simply by every time you search the Web you use easysearch. Easysearch combines results from Yahoo!, Windows MSN Live Search and Ask.com in one simple search, the address is http://nottsfuchsia.easysearch.org.uk Please try it and encourage others too. Don’t forget if you make any purchases on the internet, to go through our webshop to make sure we receive commission from the retailers (currently over 2000 well known retailers), the address is http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/nottsfuchsia .

4^th April	Joint Meeting: Ric Reilly talking on Fuchsias – hosted by Derby Fuchsia Society at Grange Hall, Park Lane, Littleover, DE23 6FX. Meeting commences at 7.30p.m ADMISSION: £2.50
7^th April	Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SPRING Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton. 10.00a.m to 4.00p.m. ADMISSION FREE
8^th April	BFS Roadshow – held at Fairfield Village Hall, Fairfield, West Midlands. Arrival at 10.00a.m – 4.15p.m. Light refreshment available (bring your own lunch)
22^nd April	BFS Stewards Course – to be held at Coronation Hall, Portland Road, Toton, Nottingham NG9 6EE.
24^th April	Monthly Meeting: Sid Garcia talking on Fuchsias
22^nd May	Monthly Meeting: Dave Staines talking on Begonias
26^th June	Monthly Meeting: Rod Young talking on Bonsai
14^th July	Long Eaton & District Horticultural Society SUMMER Show - held at the United Reformed Church, Midland Street, Long Eaton. 10.00a.m to 4.00p.m. ADMISSION FREE

Remember our next meeting

Will be

Tuesday 24^th April 2018

SID GARCIA

Talking on Fuchsias

NEWSLETTER

If anyone wants any item included in the Newsletter, please let me know, either at a meeting, or phone me on Tel: 0115 8758928, or email: jayne.daykin@ntlworld.com I will gladly include any article or event in the Newsletter.

Also, if anyone would rather I send them an electronic copy, please let me know.

Remember: It is YOUR newsletter.

WANTED

If anyone has been searching for a long lost fuchsia, then why not ask your friends at the society! The Noticeboard will now be on show at our monthly meetings, and at the bottom of your newsletter, there is a form. Complete and attach to the noticeboard. Simple!